Knockdown type platform for metal sheets and the like



Oct. 21, 1952 Q E MlLLER KNCKDOWN TYPE PLATFORM FOR METAL SHEETS AND THE LIKE Filed 0G13. 50, 1950 y, M m

Patented Oct. 21, 1952 TENT. orifice KNocKDoWN TYPE rLATFoRM Fon METAL SHEETS AND THE LIKE Charles E. Miller, Pittsburgh, Pa., assignor to United States Steel Company,.a corporation of .Y New Jersey Application october 3o, 195o, serial No. 192,945

The present invention relates to `packaging devices for sheet products or the like and more particularly to a knock-down type support platform for handling sheet materials.

Prior to my invention, sheet or plate products, such as tin plate, terne plate, black plate, etc., were piled on wooden skids or pallets for shipm ment and storage. The conventional skid was Imade -up of a plurality of wooden runners Lari ranged in spaced parallel relation and a series of elongated base members which were nailed transversely across the top of the runners. The conventional skids were made up in various sizes depending on the dimensions of the product to be shipped or stored thereon. It was usual practice to make up a number of skids in anticip-ation of future production and hold them in storage until required. The number that could be thus made up in advance was limited because of the space needed to store the skids Which were bulky in nature. The bulky nature of the items also caused an economic loss since this discouraged re-use of returned skids by the shipper. This was due to the fact that the shipper in most instances did not have the quantity of space required to devote to dead storage of the various size skids returned until he had production orders on which he could apply them. There was not much that could conveniently be done to alter the skids to suit other sizes since the runners and base members were nailed permanently together. Any effective alteration would amount to virtual reconstruction of the skid.

Another disadvantage inherent in the use of the conventional skid was the tendency of the nails used in its construction to work up out of the base members when the loaded skid was moved about on the prongs of a lift tractor. The projecting nails would cause considerable damage to the bottom sheets of the material piled on the skid.

It is, accordingly, an object of my invention to provide a platform support for holding a pile of Sheet materials consisting of a solid base member support disposed on transverse runners held together solely by the tie bands securing the pile of sheet materials.

It is another object of my invention to provide a knock-down platform support for sheet materials which can be easily disassembled for compact disposition.

These and other objects will be more apparent after referring to the following specification and attached drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view;

Figure 2 is a composite perspective view;

1 claim. (C1. 20s- 60) 2 Figure 3 is a side elevation of arunner of my invention; and f Figure 4 isa cross sectional view taken on the line IV-IV of Figure 3. l l l 'f v Referring more particularly to the drawings, reference numeral 2 indicates -a preferred form of supporting vbase which maybe constructed oi pressed wood or pressed composition of material. The base support 2 may have a thickness of approximately 1/4 inch and 'other dimensions lthe same or yapproirimately'the saine as those of the sheets to be stacked thereon. The base support is strong and rigid and has at least one smooth surface on which the sheets are' stacked.

Supporting base 2 rests upon, butl is not permanently affixed to, two or more runners 4 which are preferably made of hardwood. A centered lengthwise groove 6 is cut along the bottom of each runner to accommodate -crosswise ties 8 which not only help to secure the pile of sheets W, as seen in Figure 1, but also serve to hold the runners in place during handling and shipment. Transverse notches l0 are cut in the top of each of the runners to accommodate lengthwise ties l2.

A notch I4 is cut at the top `of each end of each runner to permit the insertion of steel angles I6 'which are used to protect the edges of the pile of sheets W, as shown in Figures 1 and 3.

In operation, the runners 4 are positioned on the mill floor and the lengthwise ties I2, which are of sufficient length to ern-brace the entire package to be made, are laid in the notches I0 across the runners 4. The supporting base 2 is then placed across the runners d. A large sheet of waterproof paper or other protective covering I3 of sufiicient size to cover the entire `package intended to be built is laid on the supporting platform 2. The sheets of material to be packaged are then stacked on the supporting base until the desired weight of material is accumulated. The pile is then covered with the waterproof paper wrapping or other protective covering I8 and the angles I6 inserted in position, as shown in Figure 1. The lengthwise ties l2 are then tied around the -pile of sheets in the convention-al manner. The crosswise ties 3 may then be strung through the grooves 6 and also tied around the pile of sheets. Flat bands or round wires may be used for the lengthwise and crosswise ties and the notches I0 and grooves 6 sized accordingly. The package is now ready for handling with the runners being part of the package and transportable therewith. The runners thus always hold the package raised from the floorvtopermit easy mechanical handling and transportation thereof.

The danger of nails damaging the sheets piled on the platform is eliminated since no nails are used in the construction of the platform.

After the package reaches its destination and the ties are -cut to strip the package, the runners are disengaged and the supporting base 2 remainsin place'until the sheets'are used. -As each platform'y is emptied, the supporting .bases are stacked together and the runners are assembled and bundled in compact units convenient to han-` dle and store. The stacked supporting bases and bundled runners may be stored in a-"comparatively small space until suilicient quantities'are'accumulated to return to the shipper; in caror truck load lots. When the original;shipper.receiyesshe1 i thatotheradaptations and modicationsfmay be made without departing" from'the vscope ofthe .I claim: I A shippingvrpackage'comprising a plurality Vof 5 elongated, runners. spacedy inparallel relationship,

:each of said runners having -a-lengthwise. groove :i in thev botto-m surface ,thereof and a plurality of, :efspaced: `transverse Agrooves ,zin-:the upper; surface 1; f. thereof, a p1 :dat basemember loosely disposed :on fand;sup-portedY by said runners, a pile; ofzo-metal 4 sheets disposed on and supported by said base member, an langle guard member disposed along the upper side and end edges and lower side and end edges of said pile of sheets for protecting the same, each of said runners having a notch at the top of each end thereof for accommodating the :..angle guard.l :members disposed Ialong :the lower iside edges. of said pilebtsheets, a tie band fitted in each of said lengthwise grooves and extending aro-und said runners, said upper and lower side edge .guard members and said pile of sheets for ,."hol'ding'saidmunners in position 'against the bottom of said base member, and Ia tie band iitted lxintoteach. of said transverse grooves Vand extendingiaroundlsaid-'base member, said upper and lower end edge-"guard members and said pile of sheets transverse of said first named tie bands for securing said pile on said base member.

- CHARLES E. MILLER.

' le of athis patent:

UNITEDWSTTES PATENTS 

